Thursday, June 30, 2016

4th of July is right around the corner! It's one of my favorite holidays - I mean what's not to love about pool parties, BBQ, and rocking red, white & blue! I usually opt to wear something classic such as nautical stripes, chambray or pops of red, but this year I'm adding a bit of rock 'n roll edge. I scored this American flag skull tank at T.J. Maxx a few months back and have been saving it for the Fourth. I love the muscle tee fit, especially when paired with a black bralette underneath for a subtly sexy peek of lace. I added my leopard booties and red lip to finish off the festive look. What are you wearing for your Independence Day celebration?

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Need a crowd-pleasing appetizer? Look no further than this 7 Layer Mexican Taco Dip! I made this for Cinco de Mayo and turned out to be a huge hit so I'm making it again for the 4th of July! This dip could not have been easier to throw together and it feeds a village - win win!

Thursday, June 23, 2016

There are few pieces of clothing I love more than a maxi dress. From colorful printed ones to sleek & simple black versions, I love the ability to easily dress them up or down. The olive green color of this maxi dress is what initially sold me, but the comfort factor keeps me reaching for it all the time.

Headbands are one of my favorite accessories - they instantly add a boho vibe and are perfect for styling second (and third!) day hair. I usually gravitate toward printed ones, but this neutral braided headband has become a staple since I can pair it with almost anything.

Funny story about these sandals...my cousin Alana and I were shopping at Target (and buying wayyy too much!) but I stumbled upon these shoes. I looked at the size, which read "3." I thought it was weird but tried them on anyway. To my surprise they fit perfectly! Turns out these sandals are little girl shoes {monkey covering eyes emoji} Oh well - they're so cute other than the cartoons on the sole ha!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

I got so many requests for a half-up topknot tutorial after this outfit post so today I'm sharing my 2 favorite ways to wear this trendy hairstyle. I've seen countless renditions of this look (messy bun in the back, tiny topknot at the crown, sleek ballerina bun, etc) - I suggest getting some ideas on Pinterest and test out a few styles to see what looks best on you. Below are my step-by-step instructions for the messy bun and twisted topknot. Which one is your fave?

Messy Half-Bun

{1}

I like both of these hairstyles more with textured waves so I curl my hair first (see my bed head waves here). Start with second-day hair since it will hold the style better. I use dry shampoo at the roots & add a loose curl to the bottom half of my hair.

{2}

Starting at my ears, I take a small section of the front of my hair and part it away from the bottom half. I comb my fingers through it to make sure it's not tangled.

{3}

At the crown of my head, I start to tie this top section of hair into a hair elastic. I tie it up as I would a ponytail, but don't pull the last bit through and make it into a bun. I have long hair so I make the bun small and let my layers stick out to create a messy effect.

{4}

I like to cover the hair elastic so I take a small piece from the section hanging out of the bun and wrap it around the base once. Use a bobby pin or two to secure it in the back underneath the bun. Voilá!

Half-Up Twisted Topknot

{Start with steps 1 and 2 above}

{3}

I twist my hair from the roots to ends and begin making the top knot a couple inches above than the crown of my head. Wrap the twisted section around itself tightly (I loosen it later.) Tie the bun using a hair elastic.

{4}

I loosen the bun by lightly tugging the sides out just enough to spread it out a bit more. Then, using a couple bobby pins, I secure it into place. I don't use hairspray for this look, since I prefer the undone look, but feel free to spritz some at the end if you fear the fly-aways.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Confession: this dress is actually a top! But since I'm 5'2 I can rock it sans pants - perks of being petite! I found this top/dress while digging through the racks at T.J. Maxx and fell in love with the fabric the second my hand grazed it. It has a vintage feel, with super soft cotton, a released hem and grey washed effect. The drop-ruffle lends a flirty vibe to an otherwise shapeless shift silhouette. Paired with my coral ankle-wrap sandals & tassel crossbody, it's the ideal outfit for a hot summer day.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Checking in for a quick Instagram round-up. I apologize for the slow posts this week - my cousin Alana is visiting from Vermont, and we haven't seen each other in almost 7 years! To say there's a lot to catch up on is quite the understatement, so I'm enjoying our wine nights to the fullest. I'll be back with a new outfit on Friday - stay tuned!

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{OOTD - lunch date at Juice 'n Java}

{enjoying some fun in the sun with Alana}

{in love with these coral & leopard sandals from Target}

{pool days are the best days}

{Catching up with Melissa, my friend and co-worker from BCBG in LA. How cute is her pup Chloe?!}

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Basics get a bad rap sometimes, but basic doesn't have to equal boring - just throw on some fun accessories! Adding my DIY choker & leopard booties to this outfit gave it just the right amount of edge. I have to admit Victoria's Secret PINK makes a pretty perfect v-neck (super soft, slightly sheer, a little oversized). In all seriousness, I could live in these Levi cut-offs for the rest of my life - so comfortable and they go with everything! What are your go-to basics?

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Banana bread has always been a favorite of mine for brunch. It's the perfect way to use overripe bananas, and I love that there are countless versions of the recipe (think chocolate chips & muffins). This was my first time adding fresh blueberries to my banana bread and I must say the result was absolutely delicious. I also sprinkled cinnamon sugar on the top before baking, creating a sweet crust - highly recommended!

Thursday, June 2, 2016

As much as I love getting all dressed up, my favorite outfit consists of perfect fitting jeans, an amazing pair of heels & a basic tee (see my unofficial uniform here). This look is all of the above, but styled in a summer state of mind, with a flirty floral off-the-shoulder top & ripped white denim. I've mentioned my obsession with Current/Elliott jeans before, and this pair is no exception - the subtle ripped knees and frayed hems make my heart skip a beat.﻿

Meet MC

• • • Welcome to MC Squared • • • This blog is my creative outlet for everything that inspires me from fashion trends & style to recipes and memories. Thank you so much for visiting and following along! Inquiries for MC Squared contact: meghanconard@gmail.com ♥